SHARM EL SHIEKH: Campaigners on Tuesday urged the COP27 summit to fight disinformation that undermines efforts to limit deadly global warming, as a survey showed millions of people believe climate change falsehoods.
In an open letter, the campaigners called on UN climate talks delegates and social media giants to adopt a common definition of climate disinformation and misinformation, and work to prevent it.
They also urged the bosses of seven digital giants, including Facebook, Google, and Twitter, to implement tough policies preventing false climate information from spreading on their platforms, similar to measures taken on the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We cannot beat climate change without tackling climate misinformation and disinformation,” the letter said.
“While emissions continue to rise, humanity faces climate catastrophe, yet vested economic and political interests continue to organize and finance climate misinformation and disinformation to hold back action,” it added.
Letter Signed by 550 Groups, Individuals
The letter was signed by 550 groups and individuals, including former leading UN climate official Christiana Figueres and diplomat Laurence Tubiana, one of the architects of the 2015 Paris Agreement, which is the current basis for global targets to curb climate change.
Misinformation is false information that may be shared in good faith. Disinformation is spread with the intent to deceive.
The signatories demanded “swift and robust global action from COP decision-makers and tech platforms to mitigate these threats”. – APP
